Project Description:
This building is the first condominium on the west coast of Florida to receive Corrpro’s impressed current cathodic protection (CP) system for controlling corrosion of the reinforcing steel in the concrete walkways and balconies. The project was completed in two phases as part of two separate restoration contracts. Gulf Mariner is a five story concrete and masonry structure with 79 residential units. Redington Shores is south of Clearwater between Indian Rocks Beach and Madeira Beach.

Problem:
Being one of the older properties on this part of the west coast, the building had already undergone a cycle of repairs which the owners decided they wanted to terminate. The walkways posed the biggest problem in that the concrete handrails needed to be removed to reduce the load and to better accommodate the slotted ribbon anode system. The mesh system was considered but the tile and thin-set overlay required to encapsulate the mesh would have created a change in level condition at the stairs and elevator thresholds, thus causing an accessibility code violation. Since the Owners could not afford a large assessment it was decided to phase the project in two parts, one year apart, starting with the walkways.

Solution:
The structural engineer for the restoration project, with advice from Corrpro’s corrosion engineers, decided to use the ELGARD™ titanium ribbon anode system in slots on the topside of the walkways and balconies.

Fortunately the top layer of reinforcing steel was at a sufficient depth to allow the slots to be cut to receive the ½ inch ribbon.

Performance:
The entire system is powered and monitored by Corrpro’s rectifier and CORD-COM™ remote monitoring system. The system is operating at optimum voltage and current levels to eliminate further corrosion of the reinforcing steel in the concrete balconies and walkways. Corrpro will continue to monitor the CP system remotely from its head office in Medina, Ohio.

Value:
The installation of Corrpro’s CP system at Gulf Mariner makes this condominium a pioneer on this side of Florida, and others will duplicate their efforts when they see the enormous benefits of their decision. The CP system will eliminate the costly cycle of repairs for over 25 years. Other major benefits include the elimination of noise, dust and loss of rental revenue due to the cyclical concrete repair and patching.

Project Data:

Structure:	Gulf Mariner Condominium 17580 Gulf Boulevard Redington Shores, FL 33708
Owner:	Gulf Mariner Condominium Association
Owner Contact:	Mr. Ron Gonzalez, Board Member Tel: (727) 393 9781
Building Manager:
Engineer:	Tech Management, Inc.
Engineer Contact:	Mr. Brian F. Keane, PE Tel: (727) 785 6907
Anode Type & Size:	ELGARD™ 100 Anode Ribbon (22,000ft2)
Contractors:	Cathodic Systems Inc. and JSS Property Professionals, Inc.
Installation Date:	2001 through 2003

Leading governmental and independent trade organizations have monitored, tested, and reported on corrosion control strategies over the past three decades. These groups include the American Concrete Institute, National Association of Corrosion Engineers, and the Federal Highway Administration. They advocate CP as the only rehabilitation technique that effectively stops corrosion in salt-contaminated structures, regardless of the chloride content in the concrete.

Corrpro Companies, Inc., (AMEX: CO), is the leading provider of corrosion engineering services, materials and systems for the infrastructure, environmental and energy markets throughout the world. For reinforced concrete structures, our involvement has been in many areas including CP system design, installation, testing, coatings evaluation, research and development. Corrpro is the worldwide licensee of the ELGARD™ system for CP of reinforced concrete structures.

ELGARD™ is a trademark of Eltech Systems Corporation.